Soul Hall Elder

"Y-You, who are you to meddle in the affairs of my Soul Hall?!"

After seeing the newcomer's true face, the Soul Hall members felt an inexplicable pressure and fear rise within their hearts.

"Who is that?"

"Did Hunting Guardian not send you a message before he died?"

At their question, a teasing glint appeared in Xie Tianxiao's eyes.

"He's that Dou Zun?!"

"Quick, notify the Elder!"

The two Guardians exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with deep wariness. One of them spoke.

"We thought you would hide, but we never expected you to dare show yourself. Very good. It seems our mission can end ahead of schedule."

The two Guardians had not expected to encounter Xie Tianxiao as soon as they left after receiving the Elder's orders. They did not know whether to be pleased or worried.

They were pleased because they could immediately complete the task assigned by the Elder, but worried because Xie Tianxiao was far too terrifying.

Though they had numbers on their side, they were no match for a Dou Zun. They could only hope that the Elder would arrive soon. Otherwise, they would meet the same fate as the Guardian Xie Tianxiao had slapped to death earlier.

"No wonder Soul Hall suddenly sent so many people. So you were looking for me."

Hearing the Guardian's words, Xie Tianxiao came to a realization. He then sneered. "Now that you've found me, why aren't you making a move?"

"Or are you waiting for that so-called Elder to stand up for you?"

Xie Tianxiao was not afraid of a mere Dou Zun. If he had not feared exposing his Half-Saint strength too early and drawing the attention of Soul Hall in the Central Plains, he would have long since slaughtered these people and gone to Soul Hall to test the system's devouring ability.

"D-Don't think you can do whatever you want just because you're a Dou Zun! Our Soul Hall Elder will arrive soon. You are as good as dead!"

Seeing Xie Tianxiao's calm expression, the two Soul Hall Guardians' eyelids twitched, and surprise flashed through their eyes. Yet they silently retreated several steps.

There was no helping it. Xie Tianxiao's method of killing a Guardian with a single palm strike had been far too shocking. The Soul Hall members could still see it vividly in their minds.

"Scared? Hehe... So Soul Hall people can be this cowardly too."

Xie Tianxiao sneered, sweeping his gaze over the Soul Hall members. "A mere Soul Branch Hall can deploy so many Dou Wangs and even Dou Emperors. What a grand display."

"But could it be that your Elder has lost his mind? Does he really think he can capture me with a bunch of worthless trash?"

Mockery flashed in Xie Tianxiao's eyes as he spoke disdainfully.

"Hehe."

"I merely sent them to investigate your location. I never expected you to deliver yourself to my doorstep. This truly saves me a great deal of trouble."

A cold laugh came from the void. The air trembled, and a person stepped out from within.

He wore a black robe. His face was covered in wrinkles, his eyes narrowed, and his mouth hung slightly open. He looked exactly like an old monster.

"Greetings, Elder!"

Upon seeing the man who had emerged, the Soul Hall members all dropped to their knees, their eyes filled with reverence as they bowed respectfully.

The Elder of a Soul Branch Hall could also be called its Hall Master. The position was held by a Dou Zun below the peak of Four-Star Dou Zun, and he was the most powerful figure in the entire branch hall.

Every Elder commanded five Heaven-class Guardians, ten Earth-class Guardians, fifteen Human-class Guardians, and nearly a hundred Soul Envoys.

"Is that so?"

"Then watch carefully."

Unhurried, Xie Tianxiao spread his fingers and aimed them at the dozens of Soul Envoys on the ground. He suddenly clenched his hand inward, and all the Soul Envoys instantly exploded to death.

Then Xie Tianxiao looked at the green-robed man standing on the ground with a blank expression. "Go. You're an eyesore if you stay."

The green-robed man, who had thought he was doomed to die, immediately snapped back to his senses. He bowed and said, "Thank you, my lord, for saving my life. I will remember this kindness forever and never forget it!"

After saying that, the green-robed man gave Xie Tianxiao a deep look, as if he wanted to carve him into his heart forever. Then he unfurled his Dou Qi Transformation Wings and flew into the distance!

"How dare you!"

Seeing Xie Tianxiao disregard him so completely and even dare save an ant right before his eyes, the Soul Hall Elder's fury instantly ignited. His gaze sharpened, and a vast, surging aura soared into the sky!

"Go kill that escaping ant!"

The Soul Hall Elder shouted at the only two remaining Soul Hall Guardians.

Just as the two Guardians accepted the order and flew out!

Sword Break!

The Soul Hall Elder pointed a finger, and streak after streak of soul light shot into the ground.

Countless sword marks appeared across the surface, while innumerable sword rays shot into the heavens. Like a silver dragon, they charged toward Xie Tianxiao!

"Trivial tricks!"

Xie Tianxiao smiled disdainfully and casually waved his hand. A massive palm imprint condensed out of thin air and met the sword rays head-on.

Then he grabbed at the void with his other hand. Space immediately twisted, and the Soul Hall Guardians who had just flown out were crushed to death within the void!

Rumble!

On the ground, a fierce gale erupted where the two attacks collided, kicking up endless dust and shrouding the area in smoke.

The two streams of soul light collided, triggering a violent explosion.

At the center of the explosion, the smoke dispersed, revealing a massive crater. As the dust gradually settled, a deep pit came into everyone's view.

The Soul Hall Elder was now half-kneeling on the ground, his chest pierced through. Streams of blood continuously flowed from the wound, making for a horrifying sight.

"Y-You're not a One-Star Dou Zun?!"

The Soul Hall Elder stared at Xie Tianxiao unwillingly. He had thought his opponent was merely a newly advanced Dou Zun and that his own strength would be more than enough to subdue Xie Tianxiao.

Yet unexpectedly, the sword rays he had unleashed with all his strength had been shattered by a single palm, and even he himself had been heavily injured!

He was at the peak of Four-Star Dou Zun. Even if his opponent were three or four stars above him, it should have been impossible to wound him so severely with one palm!

For Xie Tianxiao to possess such strength, his cultivation had likely reached the peak of the Dou Zun realm!

Xie Tianxiao slowly raised his head and looked at the Soul Hall Elder. He snorted coldly. "Hehe... When did I ever admit to being a One-Star Dou Zun?"

With his Half-Saint strength, Xie Tianxiao could easily crush the Soul Hall Elder before him. But he did not do so, because he still wanted to test how the system could devour.

"Damn it! With strength approaching the peak of Dou Zun, how could you possibly appear in the Northwest Region?!"

Only at this moment did the Elder understand why Xie Tianxiao had not taken him seriously.

With Xie Tianxiao's strength, he was enough to stand on equal footing with a Soul Hall Venerable. As the master of a mere branch hall, he truly was not worth noticing.

Although Xie Tianxiao's strength was terrifying, the Soul Hall Elder did not consider the possibility of him being a Saint. That was simply too shocking. With his strength, it was beyond his comprehension; he did not even dare entertain the thought.

"That is none of your concern."

Xie Tianxiao looked calmly at the Soul Hall Elder before him and continued, "A Four-Star Dou Zun, personally coming to capture me as the master of a branch hall? What, does this branch hall not have a Deputy Hall Master?"

Every Soul Branch Hall had a Deputy Hall Master in addition to its Hall Master, Guardians, and Soul Envoys. The Deputy Hall Master was merely somewhat weaker than the Hall Master and was held by an Elder between One-Star and Three-Star Dou Zun.